Next Steps: Intervention for Advanced Learners


Photo source: www.ciam.edu, www.shootthecenterfold.com


*Note: This post is Part II of a Two Part series.

Disclaimer Time :-)

ABA treatments or interventions are not one size fits all, and should never follow a generic formula across individuals. The specific needs and strengths of the individual receiving services will always guide treatment planning and intervention choices. This post is meant to be a helpful guide, not a guaranteed "recipe" to designing intervention.

End of disclaimer.

We already reviewed the challenges of designing intervention for early learners/individuals who are new to therapy. Now let's talk about the challenges of designing intervention for the advanced learners, or those who are only mildly impacted by their diagnosis.

To make sure we're are all on the same page, what do I mean when I say an advanced learner?

  • Typically older, or if younger this is an individual who is only mildly impacted by their diagnosis (Autism is a SPECTRUM)
  • Typically in a regular education classroom with some supports. If this type of child IS in a self- contained room, it is usually only because of problem behavior
  • Deficits are NOT pervasive; the individual may be on grade level academically, but struggles with self-help skills. Or the individual may have appropriate use of language/be conversational, but has meltdowns on a daily basis
  • Typically this individual has problems with communication only when escalated. The ability to communicate, yet the likelihood to aggress when upset, can be highly frustrating to parents/teachers
  • Interest in peers, age appropriate toys, or social interaction can often be quite typical. Sadly there can be a strong desire/interest to be social but significant social deficits that prevent this
  • Problem behavior rate and severity can range from mild to high. This type of individual may be described as "moody". When they are calm and cooperative, they are a joy to work with/hang out with. However when they escalate, they can escalate quickly and take a long time to de-escalate  
For those of you who will be designing intervention, this type of child is way past Matching, Gross Motor Imitation, and Stacking Blocks..

When I first meet an advanced learner, what usually strikes me is my initial thought of "Wow, why in the world are we working with this kid???". This is the type of client who will greet you, strike up a conversation, excitedly show you their room and their toys, and proudly tell you they just got an A on a science report. But then.......you start to notice some things. Like the child is 9, and the parents report he wears Pull Ups at night. Or the child is 13, and her best friend is the 4 -year old girl across the street. Or the individual is 22, and very much wants a job but cannot keep a job (always gets fired).



It is critical not to lower your expectations of early learners, or to have ridiculously high expectations of advanced learners. People are people, and despite appearances they can need more or less support than you might think.

It frustrates me, but I come across people all the time who don't expect much out of my early learner clients. Or the exact opposite: people who think just because my client can talk and be sociable, that they have NO other problems. Both are unfair, inaccurate, and completely ignore the unique strengths and deficits of the individual. 


There are so many areas of programming you explore with a advanced learners (cooking, vocational skills, shopping/making purchases, science projects/arts & crafts, manners/respecting others). 


Below is a sample of the intervention package for one of my previous advanced learner clients, including typical (see disclaimer) program goals.

Keep in mind that these recommendations are not setting specific. In other words, advanced learners will likely need these structures in place whether intervention takes place at home, at an ABA clinic, in a classroom, or at a work site. Changing the setting does not change what these individuals need to be successful.



Sample Intervention Package 

Teacher to Student Staffing Ratio:
Group Instruction (if aggressive, a 1:1 aide may be necessary)
Teaching Format:
Mostly Natural Environment Teaching,
Incidental Learning, and Community Based Instruction
Recommended Intensity:
8-12 hours per week
Reinforcement Schedule:
Variable or fixed interval schedule, for example 25:1 (one break every 25 minutes)
Types of Reinforcement:
Naturally occurring reinforcement (bake a cake, then eat it) should be provided on a thin schedule, as well as Token Economy systems if helpful
 Intervention Goals:
Community Outings, Intraverbal Associations, Socio-Dramatic Play, Hygiene, Sight Words, Reading Comprehension, Math Fluency Drills, Sportsmanship, Accepting Change, Resolving Conflict, Social Stories, Chores, Preparing Meals
Watch Out For These:
Over prompting/promoting rote responding (this is why DTT with this individual is not recommended), client curiosity about therapy progress, "splinter skills" learning profile, teaching should include adult, peer, and self-provided reinforcement, don't forget to teach self-management of behavior/self-evaluation of goals, for older clients physical management training for staff becomes vital

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